Lycium barbarum

Chinese Wolfberry

Lycium barbarum, also known as Chinese wolfberry or goji berry, is a perennial shrub that originates from East Asia and can grow up to 3 metres high. The plant is characterised by its grey-green, narrow leaves, which are arranged singly or in groups on the branches. It flowers from June to September with purple or light blue flowers. The resulting fruits are bright red berries that are consumed in numerous cultures for their supposed health benefits. This plant has been found to be invasive in many parts of the world, including parts of Europe and North America, where it occurs in diverse ecosystems such as riverbanks, grasslands and wastelands. It has the ability to form dense stands that can suppress other plant species. Lycium barbarum's resistance to different environmental conditions contributes to its invasive potential.

Types of damage

Ecological damage

Lycium barbarum has the potential to suppress native plant species by forming dominance stands and altering natural habitats. This can lead to a reduction in biodiversity, especially in dry grassland and coastal dune communities.

Economical damage

In some areas, Lycium barbarum can affect agricultural land as its dense, thorny shrubs impede access to pasture and it can be costly to control its spread.

Region of origin

China, South East Asia

Introduction vectors

Horticulture

The Chinese wolfberry was often planted in gardens and parks as an ornamental tree

Dissemination by animals

Birds can eat the berries of the Chinese wolfberry and excrete the seeds in other places. This allows them to be spread over greater distances.

Planting of neophytes

The goji berry was deliberately sown in nature as an alien plant in order to enrich the native flora.
Current distribution

Based on the FlorKart Database of the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, as of 2013

Miscellaneous

Family

The nightshade family (Solanaceae) comprises about 98 genera with around 2,700 species. They are distributed worldwide, especially in the tropics. The family contains a wide range of life forms, including herbs, shrubs, trees and lianas. Characteristic are the usually five-petalled, radially symmetrical flowers and the often berry- or capsule-like fruits. Many species are economically important as useful and ornamental plants, including tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, aubergines, tobacco and petunias. However, some, such as belladonna or datura, also contain poisonous alkaloids and are used in medicine or as intoxicants.

Climate change

Lycium barbarum has not yet filled its potentially suitable habitat under current climate conditions. It benefits from climate change because in the future its potentially suitable habitat will increase. The environmental factors that most influence its spread are winter precipitation, soil type, annual precipitation, autumn precipitation and rail infrastructure.

Positive effects

Even though goji berries, which are described as a "super food", are not a miracle cure for age-related diseases, they are definitely healthy, tasty and have an antioxidant effect. In East Asia, they have long been used in traditional medicine and as food.

Dispersion forecast

Indicates the proportion of land suitable for habitat under current and future climate conditions (2060-2080) under three emission scenarios (RCP26, RCP45 & RCP85).

Habitat suitability maps

Instructions for use: Click here

Habitat suitability under current climate conditions

These habitat suitability maps show for Lycium barbarum where suitable habitat conditions exist.

The map on the left shows this for current climate conditions. Below this are maps for the time classes 2040-2060 and 2061-2080, in which three different emission scenarios can be selected.

The slider at the top left allows you to adjust the opacity of the map to make orientation easier.

By clicking on the respective quadrant, information on the environmental conditions present in it can be called up.

The methodology is explained here .

Habitat suitability 2040 - 2060

2040-2060: In the RCP2.6 scenario, GHG emissions are expected to peak by 2040 through comprehensive mitigation measures and to decline rapidly thereafter. By 2060, global warming would stabilise at about 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Subtle changes in precipitation patterns could vary regionally, with some areas facing increased drought and others increased precipitation.

2040-2060: Under RCP4.5, GHG emissions would continue to increase until 2040, but stabilise at a high level thereafter. By 2060, there could be a global temperature increase of about 2°C above pre-industrial levels. This scenario would likely cause moderate changes in precipitation patterns, with potential regional differences.

2040-2060: Under RCP8.5, which assumes continued intensive use of fossil fuels, greenhouse gas emissions would rise sharply by 2060. The global temperature increase could be around 2.5-3°C. In this scenario, significant changes in precipitation patterns could occur, with an increased likelihood of extreme weather events.

Habitat suitability 2061 - 2080

2060-2080: By 2080, global warming could be limited to below 2°C in the RCP2.6 scenario, provided emission reductions are consistently pursued. Impacts on precipitation patterns would likely stabilise, although regional variance would remain significant.

2060-2080: In the RCP4.5 scenario, global temperatures would continue to increase and could be around 2.5°C above pre-industrial levels by 2080. Changes in precipitation patterns would likely increase and regional differences could become more pronounced.

2060-2080: Under RCP8.5, global temperatures could rise by more than 4°C above pre-industrial levels by 2080. Precipitation patterns would be expected to change significantly, with further increases in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. This would have far-reaching impacts on ecological and socio-economic systems.